Amrish Puri
Amrish Lal Puri[1] (22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005[2]) was an Indian actor, who was an important figure in Indian theatre and cinema.
Amrish Puri | |
---|---|
![]() Amrish Puri at the premiere of The Hero: Love Story of a Spy | |
Born | Nawanshahr, Punjab Province, British India | 22 June 1932
Died | 12 January 2005 72) | (aged
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1967–2005 |
Spouse(s) | Urmila Diveker (1957–2005) |
Children | 2 |
Relatives | Madan Puri (brother), K. L. Saigal (first cousin) |
Signature | |
![]() |
He worked with notable playwrights of the time, including Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad. He is remembered for playing iconic villainous roles in Hindi cinema as well as other Indian and international film industries. To Indian audiences he is the most remembered for his role as Mogambo in Shekhar Kapur's Hindi film Mr. India (1987), and to Western audiences he is best known as Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's Hollywood film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). Puri won two Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor.[3]
Early life
Amrish Lal Puri was born in Nawanshahr, Punjab, to Lala Nihal Chand and Ved Kaur.[1] He had four siblings, elder brothers Chaman Puri and Madan Puri (both of whom were also actors), elder sister Chandrakanta, and a younger brother, Harish Puri. He was the first cousin of the actor and singer K. L. Saigal.[4]
Career
Puri acted in more than 500 films between 1967 and 2005, and was one of the most successful villains in Bollywood. Most of them were hits. Puri first came to Bombay in the early 1950s following the footsteps of his elder brothers - Madan Puri and Chaman Puri, who were already established actors known for playing villainous roles[5]. He failed his first screen test, and instead found a job with the Employees' State Insurance Corporation Ministry of Labour and Employment (ESIC). At the same time, he started performing at the Prithvi Theatre in plays written by Satyadev Dubey. He eventually became well known as a stage actor and won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979.[6] This theatre recognition soon led to work in television ads and eventually to films at the relatively late age of 40.
Puri went on to work in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Hollywood, Punjabi, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films. Though he was successful in many regional films, he is best known for his work in Bollywood cinema.
Through the 1970s, Puri often worked in supporting roles, usually as the henchman of the main villain. He was noticed in the 1980 super-hit movie Hum Paanch in which he played the main villain. After that, he started getting cast as the main villain in other movies. In 1982, Puri played the main villain, Jagavar Choudhary in the Subhash Ghai super-hit film Vidhaata. That year, he again played the main villain, JK in the movie Shakti co-starring Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. Next, in 1983, Ghai again cast him as the main villain, Pasha in the hit movie Hero. Puri regularly featured in subsequent Ghai films.
Puri reigned supreme in villainous roles in the 1980s and 1990s. In those decades, there was hardly any Bollywood film that did not feature Puri as a villain. His dominating screen presence and baritone voice made him stand out amongst the other villains of the day.
He is known to international audiences for his roles as Khan in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi (1982) and as the main antagonist Mola Ram in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). He shaved his head for the role, and it created such an impression that he kept his head shaved. His bald look gave him the flexibility to experiment with different looks as a villain in subsequent movies. Puri and Spielberg shared a great rapport and Spielberg often said in interviews: "Amrish is my favorite villain. The best the world has ever produced and ever will!"[7]
In villainous roles, Puri is best remembered as "Mogambo" in Mr. India, "Jagavar" in Vidhaata, "Thakral" in Meri Jung, "Bhujang" in Tridev, "Balwant Rai" in Ghayal, Barrister Chadda in Damini and "Thakur Durjan Singh" in Karan Arjun. His comic role in Chachi 420, that he acted alongside Kamal Haasan was highly appreciated.
From the 1990s until his death in 2005, Puri also featured in positive supporting roles in many movies. Some of his notable positive roles are Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Phool Aur Kaante, Gardish, Pardes, Virasat, Ghatak, Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, China Gate and Mohabbatein. His dialogue "Jaa, jee le apni zindagi" in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge became famous.[8] He received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor award for Meri Jung and Virasat.
Death
Puri was suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare kind of blood cancer, and had undergone brain surgery for his condition after he was admitted to the Hinduja hospital on 27 December 2004. His condition required frequent removal of the blood accumulated in the cerebral region of the brain and after some time he slipped into a coma shortly before his death around 7:30 a.m on 12 January 2005.[9]
His body was brought to his residence for people to pay their last respects, and his funeral was on 13 January 2005 at Shivaji Park crematorium.[10]
Awards
Wins
- 1968: Maharashtra State Drama
- 1979: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Theatre
- 1986: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor, Meri Jung
- 1991: Maharashtra State Gaurav Pur Ghatak
- 1997: Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor – Ghatak
- 1998: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award- Virasat
- 1998: Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor – Virasat
Nominations
- 1990: Filmfare Best Villain Award– Tridev
- 1992: Filmfare Best Villain Award – Saudagar
- 1993: Filmfare Best Villain Award – Tahalka
- 1993: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award – Muskurahat
- 1994: Filmfare Best Villain Award – Damini
- 1994: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award – Gardish
- 1996: Filmfare Best Villain Award – Karan Arjun
- 1996: Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award – Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
- 1999: Filmfare Best Villain Award – Koyla
- 2000: Filmfare Best Villain Award – Baadshah
- 2002: Filmfare Best Villain Award – Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
- 2002: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
Filmography
Amrish Puri acted in more than 400 films between 1970 and 2005.
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1970 | Prem Pujari | Jerry, Henchman in church | |
1971 | Aahat - Ek Ajeeb Kahani | ||
Reshma Aur Shera | Rehmat Khan | ||
Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe | Marathi film | ||
Hulchul | Public Prosecutor | ||
1973 | Sone Ke Haath | ||
Kaadu | Chandra Gowda | Kannada film | |
Hindustan Ki Kasam | |||
1975 | Salaakhen | Master | |
Nishant | Eldest Zamindar | ||
Daaku | |||
1976 | Manthan | Mishraji | |
1977 | Smothered Voices | ||
Immaan Dharam | Dharam Dhayal | ||
Bhumika | Vinayak Kale | ||
Sat Sri Akal | |||
Rangaa Aur Raja | |||
Paapi | Michael | Uncredited | |
Gyaniji | |||
Alibaba Marjinaa | Jabbar | ||
1978 | Kondura | Konduraswamy | |
Hungama Bombay Ishtyle | Jaggu Ustad | ||
Bandie | Anand | ||
1979 | Hamare Tumhare | General Manager | |
Jaani Dushman | Man in Ghost train reading horror story | ||
Sawan Ko Aane Do | Chandrika's dad | ||
Naiyya | |||
Lakhan | |||
1980 | Chann Pardesi | Joginder Singh | |
Aakrosh | Dusane, Public Prosecutor | ||
Qurbani | Rakka | ||
Gehrayee | Tantric magician | ||
Dostana | Balwant Singh | ||
Hum Paanch | Veer Pratap Singh | ||
Patthar Se Takkar | Dr. Anand | ||
Maan Abhiman | Madhuraprasad Chowdhary | ||
1981 | Krodhi | Madhavan | |
Kalyug | Kishan Chand | ||
Naseeb | Don | ||
Be-Shaque | Gopal | ||
Nai Imarat | |||
1982 | Ek Aur Sangraam | ||
Apna Bana Lo | Mr.Joshi | ||
Ashanti | Raja Bhishm Bahadur Singh | ||
Aadat Se Majboor | Agnihotri | (a.k.a. Johinder Singh) | |
Shakti | J.K. Verma | ||
Johny I Love You | Zalim Singh | ||
Gandhi | Khan | ||
Vidhaata | Jagavar Chowdhary | ||
Vijeta | Chief Instructor Varghese | ||
Sugandh | |||
Main Inteqaam Loonga | Goverdhan Das (GD) | ||
1983 | Nishaan | ||
Andha Kanoon | Mr.Ram Gupta | ||
Ardh Satya | Anant's Father | ||
Coolie | John D'Costa | ||
Mandi | Darvish | ||
Hero | Pasha | ||
Haadsa | R.K. Chakravarty | ||
Bekhabar | |||
1984 | Bhool | ||
Aakhir | |||
Mashaal | S.K.Vardhan | ||
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Mola Ram | ||
Insaaf Kaun Karega | Bhanupratap | ||
Gangvaa | Special Appearance | ||
Duniya | Balwant Singh Kalra | ||
Jagir | Lakhan | ||
Awaaz | Moolchand | ||
Jhootha Sach | Kolga | ||
Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki | Udaybhan Singh | ||
Zakhmi Sher | Swami Kashinath Singh | ||
Yeh Desh | Dhulia | ||
Party | Doctor | ||
Bandh Honth | |||
Gandu Bherunda | Professor Jai | ||
1985 | Aaj Ke Sholay | Balbir Gupta | |
Mohabbat | Choudhary | ||
Zabardast | Balram Singh | ||
Meri Jung | G.D. Thakral | Filmfare Best Villain Award, | |
Teri Meherbaniyan | Thakur Vijay Singh | ||
Phaansi Ke Baad | Damodar Seth | ||
Patthar Dil | Rana Surajbhan Singh | ||
Paisa Yeh Paisa | Jugal | ||
Karmayudh | Sohanlal Puri | ||
Aghaat | Chakradev | ||
1986 | Pyar Ho Gaya | Sapna's Father | |
Kaanch Ki Deewar | Bhoop Singh | ||
Aap Ke Saath | Persha | ||
Sultanat | Razoulli Al-Jabber Al-Nasser | ||
Janbaaz | Rana Vikram Singh | ||
Begaana | A.P. Lall | ||
Samundar | Raiszada Narsingh | ||
Asli Naqli | Durjan Singh | ||
Dosti Dushmani | |||
Ek Aur Sikander | Sher Khan | ||
Tamas | (mini TV series) | ||
Ricky | |||
Naseeb Apna Apna | |||
Nagina | Baba Bhaironath | ||
Mera Dharam | Thakur Digvijay Singh | ||
Maa Ki Saugandh | |||
On Wings of Fire | Nihavand ruler | ||
1987 | Khazana | Narrator | Uncredited |
Loha | Sher 'Shera' Singh | ||
Dadagiri | Bhanupratap | ||
Madadgar | Sunita's Mama | ||
Dance Dance | A.M.Singh | ||
Mr. India | Mogambo | ||
Hawalaat | Seth Dharam Das | ||
Sadak Chhap | Dharamdas, MP | ||
Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara | |||
Pharam Dharam | Shamshera | ||
Sher Shivaji | |||
Jawab Hum Denge | Dhanraj | ||
Inaam Dus Hazaar | Captain S.P.Singh | ||
Dil Tujhko Diya | Mohla | ||
Dance Dance | Raja Bahadur A.M. Singh | ||
Raj Kapoor (film) | Himself | ||
1988 | Hum Farishte Nahin | Pashrutam Das / Din Dayal | |
Shahenshah | J.K.Verma | Uncredited | |
Khoon Bahaa Ganga Mein | |||
Waris | Dulla K. Singh | ||
Mohabbat Ke Dushman | Shahbaaz Khan | ||
Commando | Marcelloni | ||
Rukhsat | Jagdish Chopra | ||
Janam Janam | Yuvraj Thakur Balbir Singh | ||
Dayavan | Inspector Ratan Singh | ||
Ganga Jamuna Saraswathi | Thakur Hansaj Singh | ||
Yateem | Dacoit Porkhiya | ||
Saazish | Diwan | ||
Mar Mitenge | Ajit Singh | ||
Hamara Khandaan | Chandraprakash Singh (Vishal's dad) | ||
Aakhari Poratam | Anantananda Swamy | (Telugu Movie) | |
1989 | Jurrat | Kama | |
Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe | |||
Suryaa: An Awakening | Gangadhar Chowdhary | ||
Do Qaidi | K.K | ||
Farz Ki Jung | Jai Kishan (JK) | ||
Ilaaka | Nagar | ||
Daata | Gopal Das | ||
Naa-Insaafi | Billa | ||
Tridev | Bhujang / Bhairav Singh | Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
Batwara | Hanumant Singh | ||
Hisaab Khoon Ka | Ranvir Pushp | ||
Jaadugar | Mahaprabhu Janak Sagar Jagat Narayan Chintamani | ||
Aag Se Khelenge | Zakha | ||
Tujhe Nahin Chhodunga | |||
Ram Lakhan | Bhisambar Nath | ||
Nigahen : Nagina Part II | Bhairon Nath | Voice, Uncredited | |
Nafrat Ki Aandhi | Chandidas Khurana | ||
Mujrim | Khan | ||
Mera Farz | |||
1990 | Vidrohi | ||
Kondaveeti Donga | Khaadra /SP | Telugu film | |
Hatim Tai | |||
Naaka Bandi | Mangal Singh / Santhal | ||
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari | Mahadrashta | Telugu film | |
Ghayal | Balwant Rai | ||
Aaj Ka Arjun | Thakur Bhupendra Singh | ||
Doodh Ka Karz | Raghuvir Singh | Marathi Film | |
Tejaa | Jarahwar | ||
Qayamat Ki Raat | Shera | ||
Muqaddar Ka Badshaah | Vikral Singh | ||
Kishen Kanhaiya | Lala Gendamal | ||
Kaarnama | |||
Jeene Do | Thakur Sher Bahadur Singh | ||
1991 | Trinetra | Singhania | |
Mohabbat Pehli Nazar Mein | |||
Jigarwala | Dhurjan Singh | ||
Iraada | |||
Benaam Badsha | Jaikal | ||
Ajooba | Vazir-e-Ala (a.k.a. Vazir) | ||
Saudagar | Chuniya | Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award | |
Aditya 369 | Antique Collector | Telugu Movie | |
Dharam Sankat | Jagira | ||
Phool Aur Kaante | Nageshwar "Don" | ||
Thalapathi | Kalivardhan | Tamil film | |
Shikari : The Hunter | Nahar Singh | ||
Numbri Aadmi | Rana | ||
Mast Kalandar | Raja Sahab | ||
Kohraam | |||
1992 | Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda | Mahesar Dalal | Sydney Film Festival, Best Actor Award, Singapore International Film Festival, Best Actor Award |
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama | Ravana | Voice over in Hindi-dub version | |
I Love You | |||
Vishwatma | Azghar Jurhad | ||
Vansha | Vilasrao Chaudhary | ||
Zindagi Ek Jua | Bhalla | ||
Deewana | Dhirend (Ravi's uncle) | ||
Tahalka | General Dong | Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award | |
Muskurahat | Gopichand Verma (Former Justice) | Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
Time Machine | (Incomplete film) | ||
Ashwamedham | Telugu film | ||
1993 | Divya Shakti | Tau (Mafia Don) | |
Kundan | Thakur Shamsher Singh | ||
Damini | Barrister Indrajit Chaddha (Scheming Lawyer) | Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award | |
Nippu Ravva | Balagam Dhanraj | Telugu film | |
Gardish | Purushottam Sathe | Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
Sangram | Raja's father | ||
Major Chandrakanth | Gnaneswara Rao | Telugu film | |
1994 | Elaan | Ramakant Chaudhry | |
Maha Shaktishali | |||
Pehla Pehla Pyaar | Hukam Singh | ||
Droh Kaal | I.G.P Pathak | ||
Tejaswini | Lala Khurana | ||
Paramaatma | Chaudhry Rudranarayan | ||
1995 | Mohabatto Ka Safar | ||
Karan Arjun | Thakur Durjan Singh | Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award | |
Jai Vikraanta | Thakur Jaswant Singh | ||
Maidan-E-Jung | Thakur Ranvir Singh 'Daata Guru' | ||
Prem | Vanraja | ||
Hulchul | Shobraj | ||
Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India! | Don Quixote | ||
Gundaraj | Police Inspector | ||
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge | Chaudhry Baldev Singh | Nominated- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
Haqeeqat | ACP. Shivcharan | ||
Paappi Devataa | Ratan Seth | ||
Kartavya | Thakur Ugranarayan Singh | ||
1996 | Vijeta | Wing Commander Varghese | |
Kala Pani | Mirza Khan | Malayalam film | |
Tu Chor Main Sipahi | Thakur Gajendra Singh | ||
Jeet | Gajraj Choudhary (Underworld Don) | ||
Diljale | Dara | ||
Beqabu | ACP Amritlal Bakshi | ||
Ghatak | Shambu Nath | Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor | |
Smuggler | |||
Sardari Begum | Hemraj | ||
Jaan | Surya Dev Singh | ||
1997 | Khiladi No 1 | ||
Koyla | Raja Saab | Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award | |
Mahaanta | Seth. Kedar Nath | ||
Tarazu | Appa Rao | ||
Pardes | Kishorilal | ||
Chachi 420 | Durgaprasad Bhardwaj | ||
Virasat | Raja Thakur | Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor | |
Itihaas | Pradhan Des Pandey | ||
Nimayak | Balwant | ||
Himalay Putra | Malhotra, Seema's father | (special appearance) | |
Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law | Pilot Baba | ||
1998 | Sham Ghansham | Collector Bhim Singh | |
Salaakhen | Jaspal Rana | ||
Barood | Mr.Singhal | ||
Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate | Abhayankar (Police officer) | ||
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna | Jojo Pinto | ||
Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge! | Voice on the phone with Tiger | ||
China Gate | Col. Kewal Krishan Puri | ||
1999 | Lal Baadshah | Thakur Dhayal Singh | |
Aarzoo | Dayashankar | ||
Zulmi | Balraj Dutt | ||
Jai Hind | |||
Taal | Jagmohan Mehta | ||
Baadshah | Suraj Singh Thappar | Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award | |
Gair | C.K Oberoi | ||
Kaala Samrajya | Kaalkeshwar Singh | ||
2000 | Badal | ACP Ranjeet Singh | |
Ek Ajooba | Guruji | ||
Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke | Yagvender Gareval | ||
Mohabbatein | General Khanna | (special appearance) | |
Shaheed Uddham Singh | The Sufi Saint | ||
2001 | On Wings of Fire | Nihavand ruler | |
Zubeidaa | Suleiman Seth | ||
Censor | Pandit Shiv Prasad (Censor board member) | ||
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke | Kailashnath Malhotra | ||
Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai | Balram Singh (Tau of Karan) | ||
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha | Mayor Ashraf Ali (Sakina's father) | Nominated- Filmfare Best Villain Award
Nominated- Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role | |
Yaadein | Jagdish Kumar Malhotra (Ronit's uncle) | ||
Nayak: The Real Hero | Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan | ||
2002 | Badmaash No.1 | ||
Badhaai Ho Badhaai | Mr. Chaddha | ||
Shararat | Prajapati | ||
Baba | Tantrik | Tamil film | |
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani | Sadhu (sage) | ||
Rishtey | Yashpal Chaudhary | ||
2003 | Khushi | Vir Bhadra Singh | |
The Hero: Love Story of a Spy | I.S.I Chief Ishak Khan | ||
Jaal: The Trap | Major Amrish Kaul | ||
Out of Control | Jatta Singh Bedi (Jaswinder's father) | ||
Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa | Brigadier Sarfaroz Khan | ||
2004 | Surya | Thakur | |
Police Force: An Inside Story | Mr. Pandey | ||
Love | Kannada film | ||
Dev | Chief Minister Bhandarker | ||
Lakshya | Brigadier Gautam Puri (Sp. App.) | Uncredited | |
Garv: Pride and Honour | commissioner of police Samar Singh | ||
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi | Colonel Dugraj Singh | ||
Taarzan: The Wonder Car | Kartar Singh/Paaji | ||
Aitraaz | Mr. Ranjit Roy | ||
Hulchul | Angaar Chand | ||
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo | Narrator | ||
Woh Tera Naam Tha | Ustad Samad Khan | ||
2005 | Kisna: The Warrior Poet | Bhairo Singh | (final film role) |
Google doodle
On 22 June 2019, Puri was honoured with a Google Doodle. Commemorating his 87th birthday, Google carried his picture and the accompanying text read as, "If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again—and you might end up like Indian film actor Amrish Puri, who overcame an early setback on the way to fulfilling his big screen dreams."[11]
See also
- List of Bollywood villain actors
References
- "Mogambo Amrish Puri lives on: A tribute". Hindustan Times. 11 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- "Amrish Puri is Dead". 12 January 2005. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013.
- "Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor", Wikipedia, 27 January 2020, retrieved 29 January 2020
- K. L. Saigal: The Definitive Biography. Penguin UK. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- Singh, Aastha (12 January 2019). "Amrish Puri, Bollywood's 'Mogambo' who was more than just an iconic villain". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- "Amrish Puri- A tribute". www.gatewayforindia.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2006.
- "'Mogambo' Amrish Puri's Birth Anniversary". Yahoo Movies. 22 June 2012. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
- https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/queering-dilwale-dulhania-le-jayenge-11582861561552.html
- "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News". Tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- "Film Villain Amrish Puri Dies". The Washington Post. 13 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- "Amrish Puri's 87th Birthday June 22,2019". Google. 22 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
Further reading
- The Act of Life – An Autobiography by Amrish Puri with Jyoti Sabharwal.